Car accidents happen every day, but being involved in a serious accident can be life-changing. People who suffer severe injuries in automobile collisions might struggle with debilitating conditions and substantial financial losses. A catastrophic wreck might also cause you to suffer psychological injuries because of the traumatic event.
It is common for people who have been injured in accidents to experience anxiety over the thought of getting back behind the wheel. While it is normal for you to feel a degree of apprehension, it is important for you to overcome your fear so that you can move forward with your life. Some people feel that they will never be able to handle driving again after an accident. However, there are some steps that you can take to return to the road again.
1. Focus on Recovering From Your Injuries.
If you were injured in your accident, your focus should be on recovering from your injuries. Make sure to keep all of your doctor’s appointments and follow the advice and recommendations you are given. Take the time that you need to recover from your injuries, and work with your physical therapist to regain function and strength. While it might be frustrating to you that it might take some time for you to recover, you need to take the time your body needs to heal. If you do not follow your doctor’s orders or try to resume your normal activities too quickly, you could exacerbate your injuries and make the recovery process longer.
2. Deal With the Damage to Your Vehicle.
One of the most distasteful things that people have to deal with is the damage to their vehicles following collisions. Depending on how serious your collision was, your vehicle might no longer be drivable. Talk to your car insurance company to report the accident. If the other driver was at fault, file a claim with his or her insurance provider. Getting the process started early can mean that your vehicle might be repaired much faster, and the costs of the repairs might be covered by the insurance company instead of by you. If the insurance company totals your vehicle, you can then start looking for a new vehicle to replace it.
3. Determine Whether You Can Pursue Compensation.
If the other driver was found to be at fault for your accident and injuries, you might be able to recover damages to compensate you for your financial and other losses. Trying to pursue a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company can be difficult and require a significant amount of time and paperwork. Insurance companies are interested in keeping their costs low, and many vigorously fight against injury accident claims to reduce the amounts that they might have to pay.
Working with experienced car accident attorneys might increase your chances of winning and recovering fair compensation for your losses. Most car accident lawyers also work on a contingent-fee basis, which means that you won’t have to worry about paying any attorney’s fees unless your lawyer successfully recovers compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. A lawyer also will free up your time so that you can concentrate on other important matters while he or she handles all aspects of your claim on your behalf.
4. Talk to Someone.
It is normal for people who have been injured in accidents to feel anxious about getting back behind the wheel. If you are experiencing anxiety or other emotional or psychological issues as a result of your collision, you should talk to someone. Many people try to bury their feelings and fears rather than deal with them. However, if you try to suppress your feelings, it can only make it more difficult for you to process what happened so that you can move on. Start by talking about your accident with your loved ones. If that is not enough, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist who offers trauma-informed counseling services. Talking about your experiences and emotions might help you to heal and move past the fear and anxiety your collision has caused.
5. Consider Taking a Short Break From Driving.
For some people, taking a short break from driving is a good way to start recovering from the emotional fallout of a car wreck. If you feel very anxious or stressed, you might not be ready to return to driving. Talk to your therapist about your feelings, and work through them as necessary until you feel ready to try driving again. When you do start driving again, start slowly.
6. Consider Riding as a Passenger Before Trying to Drive.
A good way to ease your way back into driving is to start by riding as a passenger with a driver you trust. If you were involved in a catastrophic car wreck, it might be difficult for you to imagine getting into a car at all. If you are fearful of getting into vehicles after your collision, starting slowly is a good idea. Consider asking a trusted friend or family member to take you for a drive, and choose someone you know is a good and conscientious driver. When your friend or family member arrives, begin by sitting in the passenger seat with the car turned off. When you feel calmer, ask your friend or family member to turn the engine on and to drive slowly at first. Take longer and longer rides with your trusted driver until you feel comfortable riding in a vehicle again. Once you have regained your comfort in a car, you might be ready to move forward and begin driving again.
7. Sign up for Driving Classes.
Driving classes can be a good way for people to overcome fear following motor vehicle collisions. If you were at fault for your collision, taking a driving class might help you to improve your driving skills and lessen the likelihood that you will cause other collisions in the future. If you were not at fault, taking a defensive driving course might help you to learn ways that you can prevent accidents from occurring and spot potential hazards. Even though it’s not possible for you to control how other people drive, learning how to predict when an accident could occur can help you to take the necessary precautions to avoid a collision.
8. Start Driving Again Soon.
While some people benefit from taking a break from driving, others do better by trying to get back on the road as soon as possible after their accidents. This approach works by helping people to conquer their fear before it has a chance to grow and become debilitating. Consider how you feel, and decide whether to jump right back into driving or to instead wait for a short time before starting again.
9. Start With Easy Drives.
When you do start driving again, start out with easy drives to get back into your groove. As someone who was recently in a car accident, your first time driving again probably shouldn’t involve hopping onto an interstate or freeway. Instead, choose an easy route through a familiar residential area with low-speed limits and little traffic. The first time, start by driving for just a few minutes close to where you live. As your comfort level increases, drive for longer distances on busier streets. Finally, you should return to the point at which you are ready to tackle the traffic on interstates or freeways.
You can return to driving again following an accident by using the tactics above that work for you. Make sure to get medical attention to address your injuries, and consider retaining a lawyer to help with your car accident claim. Talking about what happened to you can help you to address the feelings of fear and anxiety that you might have. Determine whether it might be better for you to start driving again soon or if you should instead wait for a while and take it slowly. Whatever course of action you choose, you can return to the road and feel comfortable driving once again.
